Device for delivering liquid mixtures



Oct. 10, 1961 c. w. LAMBTON DEVICE FOR DELIVERING LIQUID MIXTURES 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20, 1959 Oct. 10, 1961 c. w. LAMBTQN3,003,703

DEVICE FOR DELIVERING LIQUID MIXTURES Filed March 20, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 10, 1961 c. w. LAMBTON 3,003,703

DEVICE FOR DELIVERING LIQUID MIXTURES Filed March 20, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 3 26 J J 51% 54 n 37 4 I 36 A? a 5/ if I /09 1/0 F 5; 10%m5 7 .5 /06' mm W W 5. Wk

Oct. 10, 1961 c. w. LAMBTON 3,003,703

DEVICE FOR DELIVERING LIQUID MIXTURES Filed March 20, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 4 I. si

MW SM United States Patent 3,003,703 DEVICE FOR DELIVERING LIQUIDMIXTURES Charles William Lambton, Mortimer, England Filed Mar. 20, 1959,Ser. No. 800,711 Claims priority, application Great Britain Sept. 29,1958 17 Claims. (Cl. 239-309) This invention relates to a device formixtures.

The invention has for one object to provide a device of simpleconstruction, adapted to be fitted into a Water or other liquid supply,which can be used to introduce into such supply a quantity of perfume,soap, detergent, deodorant, antiseptic or other chemical substance asdesired by the user so as to form a solution thereof in the liquidsupply, but which at the same time does not interfere with the normalsupply of the liquid when the mixture is not required.

To this end the present invention consists broadly in a mixing devicefor delivering liquid mixtures or solutions comprising a housing havinginlet and outlet openings for the liquid, at least one restrictedpassage for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outlet openingsand a suction passage communicating with said restricted passage throughwhich the substance to be mixed with the liquid is delivered to therestricted passage by the suction eflEect created by the flow of liquidthrough the said restricted passage and means for holding at least onecapsule filled with the substance to be mixed with the liquid inrelation to piercing means for puncturing the wall of the capsule topermit discharge of the contents from said capsule to the suctionpassage.

To facilitate the discharge of the capsule contents the capsule wall ispierced so that the interior of the same is opened to atmosphere inaddition to the puncturing provided for permitting discharge of thecontents. For this purpose, the piercing means may consist for exampleof an elongated member having a pointed or sharpened end and a slotextending longitudinally thereof, the member being of such length thatthe same extends completely through the capsule when pierced so that thelongitudinal slot provides an inlet on one side of the capsule for theingress of air and an outlet on the opposite side of the capsule for thedischarge of the capsule contents. The capsule contents are dischargedinto a well with which the suction passage is connected, the dischargedsubstance being withdrawn from the well through the suction passage fordelivery to the restricted passage.

The capsules for use with the mixing device of the present invention aremade of a material which can easily be punctured for example by pressingthe piercing means against the capsule wall. The capsules may thereforeadvantageously be made of gelatine, synthetic plastic material oralginate material and may be spherical or of any other desired shape.

Preferably heat insulating means are provided between the capsuleholding means and the housing so that if the device is subject toheating by the passage of a heated liquid therethrough heating of thecapsules is prevented. For example, if the device is used as a bathspray and the capsules are made of a material of comparatively lowmelting point, e.g. gelatine, melting of the capsule would in allprobability occur as a result of the heat conducted from the housing tothe capsule holding means. This may as stated be prevented by theprovision of heat insulating means between the housing and capsuleholding means or alternatively the said holding means can be made of amaterial which is a poor conductor of heat.

The capsule holding means may be constructed as a magazine which can beloaded with a number of capsules, the capsules being positionable one ormore at a delivering liquid time in register with the piercing means inreadiness for puncturing when mixing is required, emptied capsules beingsubsequently removed and discarded. The magazine may be constructed tohold a number of capsules in spaced relationship and be mounted so as tobe movable to bring one or more capsules at a time into register withthe piercing means. Alternatively the magazine may consist of acontainer for holding a number of capsules, the container having acontrollable discharge outlet through which a capsule or capsules can bedelivered to the capsule holding means.

Preferably the capsule holding means is constructed so that the capsulessimply rest thereon in which case means are provided for preventingdislodgement of the capsules during piercing Such means may consistsimply of an abutment between which and the piercing means each capsuleis located when in the piercing position, the abutment serving to retainthe capsule on the holding means against the thrust of the piercingmeans during puncturing.

The device of the present invention is particularly suitable for toiletpurposes and to this end the outlet of the housing is advantageouslyformed as or provided with a. spray nozzle so that the solution ormixture is delivered in the form of spray, the inlet opening of thehousing being suitably adapted for connecting to the Water supply of forexample, a bath shower, or alternatively the same may be adapted for usewith a hand spraying unit.

In mixing devices of the kind above referred to the substance to bemixed with the liquid is frequently delivered into the mixing device ata pressure lower than that of the liquid supply. Accordingly there isthe possibility of a back pressure being created by the liquid with theresult that mixing is inefiicient if not entirely prevented. This ismore likely to occur in combined mixing and spray devices of the kind inwhich the substance to be mixed with the liquid is drawn into the mixingdevice by suction and the liquid spray is provided with a nozzle ornozzles which is or are adjustable to regulate the spray issuing fromthe spray nozzles, in which case the throttling effect on the liquidwhen the nozzle or nozzles is or are adjusted particularly to give afine spray, can result in the creation of the back pressure.

A further object of the invention is therefore to provide certainimprovements which permit a liquid spray having an adjustable nozzle ornozzles to be used in combination with the mixing device without thedisadvantage referred to above.

To this end the invention also consists broadly in the provision ofmeans for regulating the flow of liquid in the mixing devicesimultaneously with and in accordance with the regulation or" the flowof liquid through the adjustable nozzle or nozzles of the liquid spray.The regulation can be effected by causing the liquid entering the mixingdevice to flow through a passage the cross sectional area of which canbe varied, preferably automatically, with adjustment of the spray nozzleor nozzles. According to one arrangement this can be effected in asimple manner by providing a needle valve in the liquid flow passage,which is axially displaceable to eiiect variation of the cross sectionalarea of the passage with re sulting regulation of the flow of liquidtherethrough.

in a combined mixing device and liquid spray it is of considerableadvantage to provide a universal mounting for example :a ball and socketarrangement between the liquid spray and the mixing device so that sprayfrom the liquid spray can be discharged in any desired direction whenthe combined device is installed. Thus a still further object of theinvention is to provide this feature in a combined mixing device andliquid spray.-

In order that the invention may clearly be understood FIGURE 3 is aperspective view of a further embodiinent of a combined mixing deviceand liquid spray, the liquid spray having two adjustable spray nozzlesand also being universally mounted on the mixing device.

FIGURE 4 is an underneath plan view of the device shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE is a section through the device of FIG- URES 3 and 4.

FIGURE 6 a section through a combined mixing device and liquid spraysimilar to that shown in FIG- URE 5 but having a single nozzleadjustment of which is eflected by a screw thread, certain parts of themixing device already shown in FIGURE 5 being left out.

FIGURE 7 is a section through a combined mixing device of the kind shownin FIGURE 5 and'liquid spray having non-adjustable nozzles certain partsof the mixing device already shown in FIGURE 5 being left out.

FIGURE 8 is a cross section through a liquid spray having two adjustablenozzles, the nozzle adjustment being effected by a screw threadarrangement preferably a difierential screw thread arrangement.

I FIGURE 9 is a detail view to an enlarged scale of a particular form ofconstruction of nozzle apertures.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the mixing devicecomprises a housing 1 made as a metal casting the housing having asubstantially cylindrical portion 2 which merges into a belled portion3, the cylindrical portion having a core which provides the inletopening 4 for the water whilst the outer end of the belled portion isclosed by a detachable perforated cover 5 which provides the outlet andthrough which the liquid issues as spray, the cover being secured inposition by a retaining ring 5a screwed onto the threaded periphery ofthe housing a sealing ring 5b providing a watertight joint.

The interior of the housing is divided by a transverse wall 6 throughwhich extends a venturi opening 7 which provides a restricted passagefor the flow of water through the housing, the suction efiect created bythe flow'of water through the venturi serving to draw' the substance tobe mixed with the water from a well 8 through a suction passage 9provided in the housing.

The well 8 is provided by the inner closed end of the bore 10 of acasing 11 which is open at its other end 12 the casing being formedintegral with the housing and extending'longitudinally thereof, thecontents from a punctured capsule being discharged into the casing so asto collect in the -well. For this purpose each capsule 13 to be piercedis located over the open end 12 of the casing by capsule holding meansin which position the capsule can be pierced by piercing meansconsisting of a plunger 14 which is mounted so as to be axially slidablein a sealed bore 15 in the closed end of the casing 11. The end 16 ofthe plunger extending into the casing is pointed whilst the outer endwhich extends out of the casing is provided with a knob 17 which can begrasped by the user to eiiect axial sliding movements of the plunger.The portion of the length of the plunger within the casing is providedwith a longitudinal slot 18 and topuncture a capsule 13 located in thepiercing position the plunger 14 is moved inwardly of the casing fromthe retracted position shown to cause the pointed end 16 to passcompletely through the positioned capsule with the result that thelongitudinal slot 18 provides an inleton one side of the capsule for theentry of air and an outlet at the opposite side which permits thesubstance contained in the capsule to discharge into the 4 casing 11 andcollect in the well 8 from which the same is withdrawn by suctionthrough the suction passage 9 into the stream of water flowing throughthe restricted passage 7.

The capsule holding means is in the form of a magazine which isconstituted by a ring '19 mounted concentrically around the cylindricalportion 2 of the housing so as to be rotatable therearound. The ring isprovided with a plurality of apertures 20 arranged around the ring inspaced relationship each aperture being adapted to support a capsule thering thus providing a magazine for supporting a plurality of capsules inspaced relationship. By effecting step by step rotation of the ring eachcapsule can be brought in turn into register with the plunger 14 inreadiness for piercing when mixing is required, a spring loaded detent21 being provided for holding the ring in each capsule locatingposition. To prevent a capsule from being dislodged during puncturingeach capsule is retained against the thrust of the plunger by anabutment 22 carried by a bush 23 screwed onto the cylindrical portion ofthe housing the abutment extending radially outwards from thecylindrical portion of the housing and positioned so that each capsulewhen in the piercing position is disposed between the abutment and theplunger.

As in use the housing will become heated due to the fiow of hot watertherethrough it is desirable to prevent conduction of the heat to anysurfaces in contact with the capsules to prevent damage thereto whichcould easily occur particularly if the capsules are made of gelatine orother material of low melting point. Thus both the magazine ring 19 andthe abutment 22 can be made of a material which is a poor conductor ofheat or alternatively the bush 23 can be made of heat insulatingmaterial a bush 24 also of heat-insulating material being interposedbetween the housing and the magazine.

' In the combined mixing device and liquid spray shown in FIGS. 3 to 5,a universal mounting is provided between the liquid spray and mixingdevice, the liquid spray being provided with two adjustable nozzles,means also being provided in the device for regulating the flow ofliquid in the mixing device simultaneously with and in accordance withthe regulation of the flow of liquid through the adjustable nozzles ofthe liquid spray to prevent the creation of a back pressure which mightprevent satisfactory mixing.

In the construction shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 the device consists of a partspherical housing 25 having a substantially cylindrical portion 26,which has a bore 27 providing the inlet opening for water, the bore 27being threaded internally to permit the device to be connected to awater supply.

The cylindrical portion 26 provides a support for the rotatable magazinering 28 having the spaced apertures 29 for the capsules 13, a bush 30carrying the capsule retaining abutment 31 also being mounted on thecylindrical portion 26 the bush being secured in position by a retainingscrew 32. The magazine ring is located in each capsule piercing positionby a spring loaded detent engageable in turn in each one of holes 33provided around a collar 34 forming part of the magazine ring 28. Asleeve 35 of heat insulating material is provided around the exterior ofthe cylindrical portion 26 to prevent the conduction of heat from hotwater passing through the device to the magazine ring and capsuleretaining abutment.

A capsule located in the piercing position is adapted to be pierced bypiercing means consisting of the plunger 36 having a pointed inner end37, the plunger being slidably mounted in a sealed bore of a cap nut 38providing a closure for one end of the casing 39 formed integral withthe housing 25.

' The plunger 36 is provided with a longitudinal slot 40 which as in thepreviously described embodiment, provides an inlet on one side of thecapsule for the entry of air thereto and an outlet at the opposite sidewhich permits the substance contained in a pierced capsule to dischargeinto the casing 39, through the open upper end 39a thereof, the lowerclosed end of the bore of which provides a well 41 in which thesubstance collects.

The interior of the housing 25 is formed as a socket for the receptionof a ball 42 provided with a tubular spigot 43 a portion of the lengthof which is threaded to provide a coupling for the attachment of theliquid spray denoted generally by reference 44. The ball and socket thusprovide a universal mounting which permits the liquid spray to beangularly adjusted in relation to the mixing device. The ball 42 isretained in the housing socket by a locating ring 45 which is secured inposition in the open end of housing 25 by a flanged retaining ring 46screwed onto an external thread provided around the open end of thehousing, a sealing member 47 being provided between the locating ring 45and housing 25, a further sealing member 48 being provided between theball42 and locating ring 45.

The ball 42 is provided with a through bore 49 which is coaxial with thebore of the spigot 43. The co-axial bores are formed as a venturi andprovide the restricted passage for the flow of water from the inlet 27.The ball 42 also has a peripheral groove 50 which communicates through adrilling 51 also provided in the ball, with the through bore in theball. The interior of the socket formed in the housing is also providedwith a peripheral groove 52 which communicates with one end of thesuction passage 53 which extends through the wall of casing 39, theother end of this passage being in communication with the well 41. Thegrooves in the ball and socket when diametrically in registration withone another form together an annular passage connecting the suctionpassage 53 of the mixing device with the drilling 51 in the ball, thegrooves also remaining in communication with one another even whenangularly disposed to one another when the liquid spray is adjusted toany angular position. A further sealing member 54 located in a groove inthe housing socket provides additional sealing to prevent leakage.

The mixing device is operable in the same manner as that disclosed inFIGS. 1 and 2.. Thus a capsule 13 located in the piercing positionbeneath the abutment 31 is pierced upon inward movement of plunger 36from the retracted position shown in FIG. 5. The plunger extendingcompletely through the capsule opens the interior to atmosphere throughthe slot 40 so that the discharge of the capsule contents into well 41is facilitated, the substance collecting in the well being suckedthrough suction passage 53 grooves 52 and 50 and drilling 51 into thethrough bore 49 by the suction effect created by the water flowingthrough said bore the mixture so formed then flowing into the liquidspray 44 through apertures 55 formed in the wall of spigot 43 adjacentthe end thereof extending into the liquid spray. a

The device 44 has two adjustable spray nozzles both of which areadjustable to permit regulation of the stream of spray. As shown thespray device consists of a spherical housing 56 which as abovementionedis screwed onto the threaded portion of the spigot 43, the housing beingprovided with an enlarged bore 57 in which the spray nozzles arelocated, such nozzles consisting of an outer and an inner nozzlearranged concentrically with one another.

The outer nozzle is formed by the enlarged bore 57 in the housing wallin which is disposed a circular member constituted by a flange 104formed on one end of a sleeve 105 which is mounted in the housingconcentric to the enlarged bore 57 and axially slidable in relationthereto, the inner end of the sleeve engaging around the outer end ofspigot 43 of the mixing device. The periphery of the flange bearsagainst a packing ring 57a in the bore 57 and has axially extendinggrooves 106 which provide the nozzle apertures with the surroundingportion of the enlarged bore.

The inner nozzle is formed by a disc 107 located in one end of the boreof the aforementioned sleeve 105 said disc being disposed on one end ofa plunger 108 extending through the sleeve bore and slidable therein.The periphery of the disc 107 bears against a packing ring 107a in thesleeve bore and also has the axiallyextending grooves 106 which form theinner nozzle apertures with the surrounding portion of the bore ofsleeve 105. The inner nozzle is in communication with the interior ofhousing 56 through radial apertures 109 in the wall of the sleeve and anannular space 110 formed by reducing the diameter of plunger 108 for aportion of its length extending from the inner surface of disc 107.

Axial movement of the sleeve and the plunger to effect respectively thesimultaneous regulation of the two nozzles is effected by a commonoperating member, through cams. As shown, two cams are provided on theinner end of a shaft 111 rotatably mounted in a bore 112 in the housing56 so as to extend at right angles to the longitudinal axis of thesleeve 105 and plunger 108. The cams are formed integal with the shaft,the cam 113 being constituted by a disc, and the cam 114 by a pin, bothcams being eccentric to the axis of rotation of the shaft 111. The cam113 is located in a slot 115 provided in the wall of the sleeve 105 andthe earn 114 in a peripheral groove 116 in the plunger 108. The outerend of the shaft 111 projects outwardly of the casing such outer endbeing provided with a lever 117 through which the shaft can be rotatedto cause corresponding rotation of the cams and the axial movement ofthe sleeve and plunger. A seal ring 118 is provided to prevent leakagealong the shaft 111.

The construction according to FIGS. 3 to 5 can be modified in severalWays. For example the ball 42 may be made integral with the liquid spraybut is for preference as shown made as a separate component and screwedor otherwise secured thereto. The seals provided between the ball andsocket are for preference toroidal sealing rings which can be located insuitably arranged sealing grooves provided either in the ball as shownor in the socket. The former arrangement is preferred as if the sealingrings are located in grooves in the socket such sealing rings can bedamaged by the peripheral groove in the ball as the same is moved whenadjusting the liquid spray and may even be pressed into such groove withthe result that the flow of substance might be interrupted.

If desired the ball could be made of a suitable synthetic plasticmaterial which itself has sealing and selflubricating bearingcharacteristics. A suitable material for this purpose is polymerisedtetrafluoro ethylene synthetic plastic.

To prevent the creation of a back pressure, particularly when thenozzles are adjusted to give a fine spray means are provided forregulating the flow of water in the mixing device simultaneously withand in accordance with the regulation of the flow of water through theadjustable nozzles.

For this purpose the plunger 108 is provided with an extension 58 whichforms a needle valve projecting into the through bore 49, the needlevalve being shaped complementarily to the venture shape of the bore. Theneedle valve is thus axially displaced upon adjustment of the nozzles toeffect variation of the cross-sectional area of the restricted passageformed by. through bore 49 with resulting regulation of the flow ofliquid therethrough.

In the device shown in FIG. 6 a mixing device of the kind disclosed inFIG. 5 is combined with a liquid spray having a single adjustable nozzleaxial movement of the nozzle being obtained by a screw threadarrangement. In this construction'the nozzle grooves 106 are formed onthe periphery of a disc 59 having a screw threaded extension 60extending into the housing 56 of the spray device. The screw threadengages with a'correspondingly threaded hole 61 provided in a partitionwall 62 extending across the interior of the housing, the partition wallhaving a plurality of apertures 63 for the flow of water to the nozzle.Axial displacement of the disc is obtained by "7 rotation thereof, awinged extension 64 being provided for convenience of the user. Thedevice shown in FIG. 7 shows the use of a spray device 44 having anon-adjustable spray nozzle 65 in combination with a mixing device ofthe kind disclosed in connection with FIG. 5. In this arrangement theneedle valve is not required.

' In FIGS. 6 and 7 the capsule magazine, piercing plunger and otherparts of the mixing device have been left out as these are fullydescribed in connection with FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

FIGURE 8 discloses an alternative construction of liquid spray deviceinwhich the simultaneous regulation of the two nozzles is also effected byoperation of a common operating member but through a preferablydifierential screw thread arrangement instead of cams as in theconstruction of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIGURE 8 the housing 56 is provided with an inwardlyextending boss 118 having a threaded bore 119 receiving thecorrespondingly threaded end portion of a tubular member 120 the bore ofwhich is co-axial with the housing inlet 102, the wall of the tubularmember 120 being provided with radial apertures 130 and 131 which placethe interior of the casing in communication with the inlet 102. Theouter end of the tubular member120 is provided with a disc 121 theperiphery of which is formed with the axially extending grooves 106which form the inner nozzle appertures with the surrounding bore 122 ofa flanged ring 123 the outer peripheral surface of which is alsoprovided with axially extending grooves 106 which form the outer nozzleapertures with the surrounding enlarged bore 103 of the housing 56.

The flange 124 of ring 123 has an internal thread 125 which engages witha correspondingly threaded portion 126 of the tubular member 120. Thusby eifecting rotation of the tubular member the disc 121 and ring 123are axially displaced to adjust the spray nozzles, relative adjustmentbeing obtained by providing threads of different pitch. Rotation of thering 123 is prevented by providing the same With a stop pin 127 slidablein a drilling 128 provided in the boss 118 and rotation of the tubularmember is facilitated by the provision of an outwardly extending wingedextension 129 which can be grasped by the user.

In FIGURE 9 a particular form of nozzle groove 106 is shown. Each groove106 is of V cross section the grooves gradually reducing in width, fromthe inner end 132 thereof, the axially extending surfaces 133 betweenadjacent grooves providing adequate bearing surface for guiding thenozzle in the surrounding bore, the inner end of each said surface 133being chamfered as at 134. Particularly efiicient control of the sprayeffect can be obtained with this construction of groove.

By suitably designing the cams 113, 114 the differential threadarrangement and/or the nozzles the liquid discharge from the nozzles canbe varied within wide limits.

The combined mixing device and liquid spray of the present invention isparticularly suitable for use as a bath spray as the device can beinstalled with the magazine lying in a substantially horizontal plane sothat the capsules will remain in position on the ring even although thesame are not positively held thereon. Further, with the magazinedisclosed, it is possible to arrange capsules containing differentsubstances or capsules containing different perfumes in any desiredorder Which can be selected for use at the discrimination of the user.

I claim:

1. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction-effect createdby the flow of liquid through the said passage means; holding means onsaid mixing means for holding a capsule adjacent said suction passage sothat upon piercing of said capsule the contents thereof will enter saidsuction passage; and piercing means carried by said mixing means forpuncturing said capsule while the same is held by said holding means.

2. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing meanshaving inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and. a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction efiect createdby the flow of liquid through the said passage means; holding means onsaid mixing means for holding a capsule adjacent said suction passage sothat upon piercing of said capsule the contents thereof will enter saidsuction passage; and piercing means carried by said mixing means forpuncturing said capsule while the same is held by said holding means,said piercing means including means for puncturing said capsule in amanner whereby the interior thereof is opened for discharge of saidsubstance at one region thereof and is opened to atmospheric pressure atanother region thereof spaced from said first-mentioned region thereof.

3. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction effect createdby the flow of liquid through the said passage means; holding means onsaid mixing means for holding a capsule'adjacent said suction passage sothat upon piercing of said capsule the contents thereof will enter saidsuction passage; and piercing means carried by said mixing means forpuncturing said capsule while the same is held by said holding means,said piercing means comprising an elongated member having a pointed endand a longitudinally extending slot formed therein, said elongatedmember having a length greater than that of the maximum dimension ofsaid capsule, and mounting mean carried by said mixing means mountingsaid elongated member for longitudinally slidable movement from aposition in which the pointed end of said elongated member is adjacentsaid capsule to a position in which said elongated member extendsthrough said capsule with said pointed end of said elongated memberpuncturing said capsule at a region thereof opposite to and spaced fromthe region thereof at which said elongated member passes into saidcapsule so that said capsule is opened for discharge of said substancethrough the longitudinally extending slot of said elongated member atone of said regions thereof and is opened to atmospheric pressurethrough the longitudinally extending slot of said elongated member atthe other and opposite of said regions thereof.

4. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction efliectcreated by the flow of liquid through the said passage means; holdingmeans on said mixing means for holding a capsule adjacent said suctionpassage so that upon piercing of said capsule the contents thereof willenter said suction passage; piercing means carriedby said mixing meansfor puncturing said capsule while the same is held by said holdingmeans; and container means on said mixing means for collecting saidsubstance discharged from said capsule, said suction passage of saidmixing meanscommunicating with said cons eaves 9 tainer means so thatupon the flow of liquid through said passage means said substancedischarged from said capsule and collected in said container means issucked from said container means through said suction passage into saidpassage means.

5. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures com prising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction efiect createdby the flow of liquid through the said passage means; holding means onsaid mixing means for holding a capsule adjacent said suction passage sothat upon piercing of said capsule the contents thereof will enter saidsuction passage; securing means on said mixing means positioned to abutsaid capsule when said capsule is urged out of said holding means by thepiercing thereof thereby to urge said capsule back to said holdingmeans; and piercing means carried by said mixing means for puncturingsaid capsule while the same is held by said holding means.

6. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction eifect createdby the flow of liquid through the said passage means; holding means onsaid mixing means for holding a plurality of capsules and forpositioning a selected one of said capsules adjacent said suctionpassage so that upon piercing of said one capsule the contents thereofwill enter said suction passage; and piercing means carried by saidmixing means for puncturing said one capsule while the same is held bysaid holding means.

7. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction efiect createdby the How of liquid through the said passage means; holding meansrotatably mounted on said mixing means for holding a plurality ofcapsules in spaced relationship to each other and adapted to be rotatedto position a selected one of said capsules adjacent said suctionpassage so that upon piercing of said one capsule the contents thereofwill enter said suction passage; and piercing means carried by saidmixing means for puncturing said one capsule while the same is held bysaid holding means.

8. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having an axis, inlet and outlet openings fora liquid, axially extending passage means for the flow of liquid betweensaid inlet and outlet openings, and a suction passage communicating withsaid passage means and adapted to deliver to said passage means asubstance to be mixed with said liquid in the said passage means by thesuction effect created by the flow of liquid through the said passagemeans; holding means comprising a substantially annular member rotatablymounted on said mixing means for rotation in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of said mixing means and having a plurality ofapertures formed therein in spaced relationship to each other, each ofsaid apertures being adapted to hold one of a plurality of capsules andbeing positioned so that upon rotation of said annular member a selectedone of said capsules is positioned adjacent said suction passage andupon piercing of said selected one capsule the contents thereof willenter said suction passage; and piercing means carried by said mixingmeans for puncturing said selected one capsule while the same is held bysaid holding means.

9. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction effect createdby the flow of liquid through the said passage means; holding means onsaid mixing means for holding a capsule adjacent said suction passage sothat upon piercing of said capsule the contents thereof will enter saidsuction passage; heating insulating means interposed between said mixingmeans and said holding means for preventing the transfer of heat fromsaid mixing means to said capsule; and piercing means carried by saidmixing means for puncturing said capsule while the same is held by saidholding means.

10. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction effect createdby the flow of liquid through the said passage means; holding means onsaid mixing means for holding a capsule adjacent said suction pas sageso that upon piercing of said capsule the contents thereof will entersaid suction passage; piercing means carried by said mixing means forpuncturing said capsule while the same is held by said holding means;and spray means coupled to said mixing means and communicating with theoutlet opening of said passage means.

11. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, and a suction passage communicating with said passage meansand adapted to deliver to said passage means a substance to be mixedwith said liquid in the said passage means by the suction efiect createdby the flow of liquid through the said passage means; holding means onsaid mixing means for holding a capsule adjacent said suction passage sothat upon piercing of said capsule the contents thereof will enter saidsuction passage; piercing means carried by said mixing means forpuncturing said capsule while the same is held by said holding means; auniversal joint supported by said mixing means; and spray means coupledto said universal joint and communicating with the outlet opening ofsaid passage means.

12. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having a socket formed therein adapted tosupport a ball joint, inlet and outlet openings for a liquid, passagemeans for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outlet openings, anda suction passage communicating with said passage means and adapted todeliver to said passage means a substance to be mixed with said liquidin the said passage means by the suction effect created by the flow ofliquid through the said passage means; holding means on said mixingmeans for holding a capsule adjacent said suction passage so that uponpiercing of said capsule the contents thereof will enter said suctionpassage; piercing means carried by said mixing means for puncturing saidcapsule while the same is held by said holding means; a ball jointrotatably supported in the socket of said mixing means; and spray meanscoupled to said ball joint and communicating with the outlet opening ofsaid passage means.

13. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openings for a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, a socket formed in said passage means between said inlet andoutlet openings and adapted to support a ball joint, and a suctionpassage communicating with said passage means and adapted to deliver tosaid passage means a substance to be mixed with said liquid in the saidpassage means by the suction effect created by the flow of liquidthrough the said passage means; holding means on said mixing means forholding a capsule adjacent said suction passage so that upon piercing ofsaid capsule the contents thereof will enter said suction passage;piercing means carried by said mixing means for puncturing said capsulewhile the same is held by said holding means; a ball joint'rotatably supported in the socket of said mixing means, said ball joint having anaperture formedtherethrough for the flow of liquid between said inletand outlet openings of said rmxing means and an auxiliary suctionpassage formed therein and communicating with said suction passage andwith said aperture and adapted to deliver to said aperture a substanceto be mixed with said liquid in the said aperture by the suction effectcreated by the flow of liquid through the said aperture; and spray meanscoupled to said ball joint and communicating with said aperture;

7 14. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having inlet and outlet openingsfor a liquid,passage means for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings, a socket formed in said passage means between said inlet andoutlet openings and adapted to support a ball joint, and a suctionpassage communicating with said passage means and adapted to deliver tosaid passage means a substance to be mixed with said liquid in the saidpassage means by the suction effect created by the flow of liquidthrough the said passage means; holding means on said mixing means forholding a capsule adjacent said suction passage so that upon piercing ofsaid capsule the contents thereof will enter said suction passage;piercing means carried by said mixing means for puncturing said capsulewhile the same is held by said holding means; a ball joint rotatablysupported in the socket of said mixing means in a manner whereby saidball joint occupies a selected one of a plurality of positions inrelation to said socket, said ball joint having an aperture formedtherethrough for the flow of liquid between said inlet and outletopenings of said mixing means and an auxiliary suction passage includinga peripheral groove formed therein and communicating with said suctionpassage and with said aperture in each of said plurality of positionsand adapted to deliver to said aperture a substance to be mixed withsaid liquid in the said aperture by the suction effect created by theflow of liquid through the said aperture; and spray means coupled tosaid ball joint and communicating with said aperture.

15. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having passage means with an inlet end forintroducing a liquid under pressure and an outlet end for delivering thedesired liquid mixture; conduit means communicating with said passagemeans at a point between and spaced from said inlet and outlet endsthereof for admitting a substance to be mixed with said liquid under apressure smaller than the pressure under which said liquid is introducedinto said passage means through said inlet end thereof; means foradjusting the cross-sectional area of said outlet end of said passagemeans so as to restrict the flow of liquid mixture through said outletend when required; and means for adjusting the cross-sectional area ofsaid passage means between said inlet end thereof and the point thereofat which said conduit means communicates with said passage means so asto permit restriction of the cross-sectional area of said passage meansbefore admission of said substance thereinto simultaneously withrestriction of said outlet end of said passage means whereby backpressure in said passage means created by restriction of said outlet endof said passage means at the point of admission of said sub- 12 stancein said passage means is avoided by simultaneous restriction of thevolume of liquid admitted to said lastmentioned-point.

16. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having passage means withan inlet end forintroducing a liquid under pressure and an outlet end for delivering thedesired liquid mixture; conduit means communicating with said passagemeans at a point between and spaced from said inlet and outlet endsthereof for admitting a substance tobe mixed with said liquid under apressure smaller than the pressure under which said liquid is introducedinto said passage means through said inlet end thereof; spray meanscoupled to said mixing means and communicating with the outlet end ofsaid passage means; output adjusting means for adjusting thecross-sectional area of said spray means so as to restrict the flow ofliquid mixture through said spray means when required; flow adjustingmeans for adjusting the cross-sectional area of said passage meansbetween said inlet end thereof and the point thereof at which saidconduit means communicates with said passage means so as to'permitrestriction of the cross-sectional area of said passage means beforeadmission of said substance thereinto simultaneously with restriction ofsaid spray means whereby back pressure in said passage means created byrestriction of said spray means at the point of admission of saidsubstance in said passage means is avoided by simultaneous restrictionof the volume of liquid admitted to said last-mentioned point; andcoupling means coupling said output adjusting means to said flowadjusting means in a manner whereby the cross-sectional area of saidpassage means between said inlet end thereof and the point thereof atwhich said conduit means communicates with said passage means isadjusted simultaneously with and in the same direction as thecross-sectional area of said spray means upon adjustment of saidcross-sectional area of said spray means.

17. A mixing device for delivering liquid mixtures comprising, incombination, mixing means having an axis and axially extending passagemeans with an inlet end for introducing a liquid under pressure and anoutlet end for delivering the desired liquid mixture; conduit meanscommunicating with said passage means at a point between and spaced fromsaid inlet and outlet ends thereof for admitting a substance to be mixedwith said liquid under a pressure smaller than the pressure under whichsaid liquid is introduced into said passage means through said inlet endthereof; spray means coupled to said mixing means and communicating withthe outlet end of said passage means; output adjusting means foradjusting the cross-sectional area of said spray means so as to restrictthe flow of liquid mixture through said spray means when required; flowadjusting means for adjusting the cross-sectional area of said passagemeans between said inlet end thereof and the point thereof at which saidconduit means communicates with said passage means so as to permitrestriction of the cross-sectional area of said passage means beforeadmission of said substance thereinto simultaneously with restriction ofsaid spray means whereby back pressure in said passage means created byrestriction of said spray means at the point of admission of saidsubstance in said passage means is avoided by simultaneous restrictionof the volume of liquid admitted to said lastmentioned point, said flowadjusting means comprising a tapered elongated member coaxiallypositioned in said passage means; and coupling means coupling saidoutput adjusting means to said tapered elongated member in a mannerwhereby said tapered elongated member is axially moved with theadjustment of said output adjusting means so that the cross-sectionalarea of said passage means between said inlet end thereof and the pointthereof at which said conduit means communicates with said passage meansis adjusted simultaneously with and in the same direction 13 as thecross-sectional area of said spray means upon ad- 983,555 justment ofsaid crosssectional area of said spray means. 1,255,813 2,006,688References Cited in the file of this patent 2,049,141 5 2,462,752 UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,469,642 772,910 McKechney Oct. 18, 1904 2,551,738

14 Kelley Feb. 7, 1911 Brew Feb. 5, 1918 Schmiedeknecht July 2, 1935Schneider July 28, 1936 Kotches et a1 Feb. 22, 1949 Grewe May 10, 1949Hanthorn May 8, 1951

